Week 6 Learning Centers Discussion

1. Learning Centers
TO PROMOTE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
BY JENNIFER RUSSELL

2. What is a learning center?
• Learning centers (also called activity centers) “are self-
contained sections of the classroom in which students
engage in independent and self-directed learning
activities.” (TeacherVision).

3. How learning centers are used in the classroom
• Learning centers are not used daily, but are available
to the students once or twice a week in contrast to a
concept, skill, or topic being taught in the classroom.
“Learning centers stimulate learning, reinforce skill
development and are a resource for students’ to use
to extend their knowledge in a particular
area.”(Calabrese, 2014). Learning centers can be used
after a topic has been discussed to the students, as an
introduction to the topic being taught, or during the
course of discussion on the topic being taught.

4. Using learning centers in the classroom
• “The current classroom lessons or themes will determine the
type of learning centers you choose. There are several ways to
organize learning centers. It isn’t necessary to organize all the
centers in the same way. It is often useful to adapt several
different approaches to fit the needs of the students.
Organizational approaches include: by theme, learning styles,
and subject” (ABCteach, 2009). Each learning center should
provide the students with the materials, instructions, and
rules they need to complete the activity.

5. Different types of learning centers
• There are many different types of learning centers to be used in the classroom. The
types a teacher uses usually depends on the size of the classroom (room to conduct
these centers), grade level and learning needs of the students, teachers educational
philosophy, and the concepts being taught in relation to core standards. Different types
of centers include:
*Reading *Drama
*Writing *Games
*Math *Music
*Science *Listening
*Technology *Communications

6. Benefits of learning centers
• “Provide opportunities to practice a skill currently being taught, enhance student
mastery through review of material that has been covered, use projects to extend a
current unit of study, and design “free time” activities that are directly connected to
the standards.” (ProfessorHouse, 2017).
• Students work independently in learning centers, so they acquire skills such as “time
management, staying on task, and prioritizing tasks in a multi-step project – that they
will use later in the workplace. To ensure acquisition of these skills, the teacher should
always make sure that she carefully explains each center before students use it, and
that all students clearly understand correct procedures and behavioral expectations.”
(ProfessorHouse, 2017).
• “Learning centers allow the teacher to include activities in all of the multiple
intelligences. She can also encourage student engagement by drawing on what she
knows of their interests and making connections to the curriculum.” (ProfessorHouse,
2017).

7. Benefits of learning centers (cont.)
• Once students are familiar with the procedures necessary to work independently at
learning centers, the teacher is freed to multitask to make the most of the limited hours
in the school day. She can teach large-group and small-group lessons while students
who have already mastered the lesson material can work in centers. She can also work
one-on-one with students which allows for assessment on students individual skills and
needs. (ProfessorHouse, 2017).
• Experienced teachers recognize that children do need to move around. “Many children
learn best through bodily-kinesthetic ways, and brain research supports the importance
of movement in learning. By integrating periods of quiet work with periods of
purposeful movement, learning centers can oxygenate the brain for optimized function,
enhance the student’s day with variety and novelty, and minimize behavioral problems
that can otherwise arise when even the best-behaved children grow fidgety.”
(ProfessorHouse, 2017).

8. Keys to effective learning centers
1. Create, communicate, and practice procedures. Centers involve a
complex choreography of diverse students, areas, and materials.
Teachers must create comprehensive procedures, communicate them
to students, and allow adequate time to practice them until they
become routine.
2. Group with intention: Centers allow students to work in different
configurations including independently, in groups they choose based
on interest, and in mixed ability or leveled groups. In all cases,
grouping decisions must be intentional, based on the nature and
purpose of each activity.

9. Keys to effective learning centers (cont.)
3. PROVIDE MEANINGFUL TASKS: CENTERS TASKS IN ANY CONTENT AREA SHOULD BE
INTERESTING, CHALLENGING, AND WHEN POSSIBLE, PROVIDE STUDENTS A CHANCE TO
PRACTICE SKILLS IN AUTHENTIC WAYS--MEANING THAT ACTIVITIES HELP STUDENTS
CONNECT THEIR LEARNING TO THE REAL WORLD OR DEVELOP REAL-LIFE HABITS OF MIND.
FOR EXAMPLE, HAVING STUDENTS NAVIGATE THE CLASSROOM LIBRARY TO CHOOSE
BOOKS AND READ INDEPENDENTLY, WRITE FOR A VARIETY OF PURPOSES (LETTERS, BLOGS,
SCRIPTS, ADS, OR NEWS ARTICLES), OR PLAY MATH GAMES THAT HELP DEVELOP MENTAL
MATH STRATEGIES.
4. ASSESS THE IMPACT. WHETHER BY OBSERVING STUDENTS AS THEY'RE WORKING,
COLLECTING STUDENT WORK TO REVIEW, OR ENGAGING STUDENTS IN REFLECTIONS ON
THEIR LEARNING, TEACHERS MUST MONITOR STUDENT PROGRESS. IT'S IMPORTANT TO
KNOW WHEN STUDENTS NEED SUPPORT OR SCAFFOLDING AND WHEN THEY NEED TO BE
CHALLENGED FURTHER.
SOURCE: GINSBURG, D., (2016). FOUR KEYS TO EFFECTIVE CLASSROOM LEARNING
CENTERS.

10. References
Calabrese, P. A. (2014). TIPs: Creating an Effective Learning Center.
http://onhandschools.com/blog/2014/01/tips-creating-effective-learning-
center
Fredericks, A., (2005). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Success as a Teacher.
Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Fredericks, A. (2017). Learning Centers: Tips & Advice for Teachers (Grades K-
12). Sandbox Networks, Inc. https://www.teachervision.com/learning-
centers/learning-centers
ProfessorsHouse., (2017). Learning Centers – Excellent Way to Cover a Wide
Amount of Curriculum. http://www.professorshouse.com/learning-centers/